Related Experiment Videos
No correlation between prolactin levels and clinical activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
D Buskila1, M Lorber, L Neumann
1Rheumatic Disease Unit, Soroka Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Objective:
To assess the frequency of hyperprolactinemia and its possible clinical significance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Methods:
Concentrations of prolactin (PRL) were determined in 63 consecutive patients with SLE by an immunoradiometric assay. Antinuclear antibodies, anti-DNA, ribonucleoprotein, Sm, Ro, La, and anticardiolipin antibodies were determined by standard techniques. PRL concentrations were correlated with SLE clinical and serological activity.
Results:
Elevated serum concentration of PRL (> 20 ng/ml) were found in 10 of 63 (15.9%) patients [21 to 57 ng/ml, mean (SD) 35.6 (13.4)]. No direct correlation between PRL levels and clinical disease activity of SLE was found (Pearson correlation r = -0.186, NS). In addition, hyperprolactinemia was not associated with serological activity.
Conclusion:
Mild hyperprolactinemia is present in a subset of patients with SLE but its clinical significance is still uncertain.